Issachar

Meaning & origin

Issachar is a biblical name with a clear Hebrew etymology, typically interpreted as 'man of hire' or 'there is recompense'. It belongs to the ninth son of Jacob and Leah, ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Despite its ancient roots, the name has seen minimal modern usage. It was first recorded in U.S. birth data in 1976, and as of 2025 it ranked 6,446th in popularity, with only about 1 in 131,390 boys receiving the name. Its peak usage occurred in 2019, but even then it remained exceedingly rare. Over the past decade and a half, its trajectory has been slowly rising since 2008, though it has never approached mainstream recognition. Issachar has not been recorded in any U.S. state as a top name, reflecting its niche appeal. Its lack of common nicknames or widespread variants keeps it firmly in the category of distinctive biblical revivals.

Issachar is a biblical name from the Hebrew Yissakhar, derived from the root s-kh-r meaning 'to hire' or 'to reward'. In the Book of Genesis, Issachar is the ninth son of Jacob and Leah, and the patriarch of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The name's traditional meaning is 'there is recompense' or 'man of hire', reflecting Leah's statement at his birth. It has been used among Jewish families and occasionally in Christian communities, though it has always been rare in English-speaking countries.